Slumps end for Manning, Colts

Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped their three-game skid by beating the Tennessee Titans, 30-28, in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday to move a half-game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.

“Hopefully we can sort of build off this win,” Manning said. “Nobody likes losing three in a row.”

The four-time league MVP put his atypical struggles behind him with a crisp performance. He completed 25 of 35 passes in his 63rd 300-yard game, tying Dan Marino for tops on the career list.

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Manning nearly had a third TD pass but rookie receiver Blair White broke up a pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the end zone.

“I was throwing to Reggie. I can assure you I was throwing to Reggie,” Manning said. “But like I said, that’s part of the learning process.”

EXTRA POINTS

Jeff Pash, the head of the NFL’s negotiating team, said it will be easier to reach a new labor agreement with the players’ union if the accord includes an 18-game regular season. Chiefs coach Todd Haley declined to give an update on quarterback Matt Cassel, who had an appendectomy Wednesday. It is not known how long Cassel will sit out. Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t announced a starting quarterback, but speculation is centering on rookie John Skelton over Derek Anderson, who sat out practice because of a concussion, and recently signed Richard Bartel. The NFL is looking into running a study that would try to examine whether playing in the league is more likely to result in long-term brain disease than playing only college football. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison, who has been fined four times this season for dangerous hits, said Baltimore guard Chris Chester deliberately went after him while being called for a false-start penalty during an extra-point attempt and should be disciplined. Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said it was a coincidence that disgruntled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth’s four-game suspension came with four games left in the season. ... A federal judge sentenced former 49ers star defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield to 90 days in jail for stealing his former girlfriend’s mail. ... The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will embark on a $23.6 million expansion and renovation. ... The Vikings have gone from “optimistic” to “hopeful” that quarterback Brett Favre will make his 298th consecutive regular season start. ... A spokesman for former Jets game hostess Jenn Sterger, who allegedly received inappropriate photos and phone messages from Favre, says she won’t sue the Vikings QB if he’s punished by the NFL.